Tined mulcher head



April 1963 c. H. HEEREN ETAL TINED MULCHER HEAD Filed Aug. 1, 1960 9 5 H M2 W n a '1 w T ,5 W M 7 2 1n 3 a F m 4 FF 2 E 4! J 7 2 NJ 9 I 6 w 37 III! 2 7 5 w H M 3 a (w l- I Q m F T ite States atent 3,084,748 TINED MULDHER HEAD Clyde H. Heeren, Walshville, llL, Donald H. Hoover,

La Crescent, Minn, and Angus A. Berg, La Crosse,

Wis; said Hoover and said Berg assignors to said Heeren Filed Aug. 1, 1969, Ser. No. 46,535 3 Claims. (Cl. 172-111) This invention relates to tined mulcher heads for seedplanting equipment, such as corn planters and the like.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a tined mulcher head for seedplanting equipment having springing tines formed of springy metal such as spring steel adapted to resist abrasion and minimize breakage; the provision of a mulcher tine formed from an integral piece of spring steel rod or the like so formed and mounted as to avoid weldments or other fastening means such as ordinarily bring about localized destruction of proper temper in the spring rod or which introduce high localized stresses; and the provision of a renewable mulcher tine of simple and lowcost constructtion which is readily demountable for at tachment and detachment in the mulcher head of which it forms a part. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a mulcher head embodying the invention, parts being shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section, taken on line 3-3 of FIG.1; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a renewable spring steel time component of the invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The invention is an improvement upon the mulcher construction shown in the copending United States patent application of Cylde H. Heeren, Serial No. 665,174, filed June 12, 1957, for mulcher now Patent Number 2,983,322.

The mulcher heads referred to herein are of the general class in which a head is carried upon the lower end of a driven rotatable shaft or spindle which extends downward from a suitable bearing in a crossbar connected with known seed-planting equipment or the like. The rotatable spindle is shown at numeral 1 herein, its direction of rotation being indicated by the arrow 3. The shaft or spindle 1 supports a collar 5 which may be adjusted vertically against the action of a compression spring 7, the function of which is to bias the spindle 1 downward by reaction against a stationary part of the crossbar of the planting equipment. A set screw 9 provides means for maintaining any adjusted position of the collar 5 on the spindle 1 so as to vary the downward spring-biasing force.

The invention relates particularly to the type of mulcher head employed at the lower end of the spindle 1 below the collar 5. This consists of a thimble or sleeve "11 which is telescoped over the lower end of the spindle 1 and held thereto by means of a fastener such as a rivet 13. At numerals 15 are shown spaced fiat parallel bars which by marginal welding 17 are attached transversely to the lower end of the thimble 11. The bars 15 are maintained in spaced relationship by means of endwise spacers 19. The spacers 19 are welded between the bars 15, as shown at 21. The arrangement is such that the bars 15 are spaced apart a distance D, providing a space between the bars 15 which will slidably accept a filler plate or bar 23.

The bars 15 and 23 are provided with aligned openings 25 and 27, respectively, for the acceptance of a bolt 29 having a nut 31 adapted to be drawn up to hold the plate 23 between the flat bars 15. The plate opening 27 is made somewhat larger than the bar openings 25, so as to make convenient the location of plate 23 in a suitable position for accepting the bolt 29. The Width of the plate 23 is such that space E is left between its upper edge and the lower end of the thimble 11. The length of the plate 23 is such as to leave spaces F between its ends and the insides of the spacers 19. The distances D, E, F are all approximately equal and such as just to accommodate time member T, such as shown in FIG. 4.

The time member T consists preferably of a length of round rod having a diameter G only slightly less than the distances D, E, F. This rod is composed of a springy material such as spring steel which, prior to tempering, is formed as shown in FIG. 4. This form comprises a U shape consisting of a cross portion 33 having downwardly extending leg portions 35. For some distaance, the cross portion of the downwardly extending leg portions 35 are located in the same plane, thus forming said U-shape. Below this plane, the rod is formed as two spirals 37 which terminate in oppositely directed trailing or wiping fingers 39. After the time member T is formed as described and illustrated, it is tempered to acquire desired springy characteristics. This tempering affects the entire part T, so that it becomes desirable to mount it in a manner such that no heat is applied thereto as by welding, which might locally destroy its temper and introduce a point or points where undersirable bending or breakage might occur. It is also desirable that its mounting means be such that no notches, holes or other forms are imposed upon the rod, since such devices for accommodating fastenings would also introduce points of weakness. The present invention avoids such points of weakness, since the tine T is mounted as follows:

The plate 23 and bolt 29 .are removed from between the fiat bars 15. The coplanar -U-shaped parts 33 and 35 of member T are then slipped into position between the bars 15, the crossbar 33 of the U-shape being limited to a position adjacent the lower end of the thimble 11. The downwardly extending legs 35 of the U-shape become located adjacent the endwise spacer members 19. Then the plate 23 is slipped into position between bars 15 under the crosspiece 33 with its ends just within the legs 35. The bolt .29 is then inserted and nut 31 drawn up. This clamps together members 15 and 23.

The upper corners of the rectangular plate 23 are rounded, as shown at 24, so as approximately to follow the curvatures between the cross member 33 and legs 35 produced by the initial bending which forms the tine member T. Thus it will be seen that the thimble .11 forms a bridge across the upper margins of the bars 15 to determine the position of the tine cross member 33 in the pocket formed by bars 15 and spacers 1 9. The width of the locking plate 23 is such as to provide space between it and the end of the thimble 11 for positioning the cross portion 33 of the U-shape 33, 35.

The diameter G of the rod, being about equal to or slightly less than the distances D, E, F, avoids altogether, or limits, any compressive action that the plates 15 may exert on the rod. Nevertheless, the member T is held captive in a secure position. Thus when the spindle 1 is rotated and the extending parts 37, 39 of the tine member T contact the soil for mulching, parts 37 and 39 will spring in response to rotation and engagement with foreign articles such as rocks, or the like, the resulting whipping, bending and the like setting up no excessive localized stress in any weakened part of the tine, as might be the case if it were held in place by weldments, bolts in notches, drilled holes or the like therein. On the other hand, in the unlikely event that tine member T would break, or if it wears out by long abrasion, a new one may be readily replaced in the field, simply by removing bolt 29 along with the plate 23. Any remaining broken part may thus be readily slipped from between the bars 15 and a new tine member T inserted and locked into position by reinserting the plate 23 and bolt 29.

It will be understood that although the spring rod forming the tine member T is shown as being of circular cross section, other cross sections such as for example a square cross section, may be employed. However, the circular cross section is preferred for low cost, reliability and strength.

It will be seen that in general the members r15 and spacers 19 constitute a pocket-forming member for the reception both of the U-shape constituted by the coplanar cross member 33 and legs 35 of the tine member T and the lock plate 23, each of which is slidable into the pocket. No weldments, notching, drilling or the like interfere with the full strength obtainable from the all-tempered tine member T.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A mulcher head comprising,

(a) a tine member composed of a cross-sectionally circular rod of spring metal fonmed intermediate its ends to be U-shaped, having a cross member and side legs in a substantially common plane,

(b) a pocket-forming member composed of a sleeve adapted for attachment to a spindle and including relatively spaced plates edgewise attached across one end of the sleeve,

(c) the spacing between the plates being such as to slideably receive the cross member of said U-shaped tine member between the plates,

(d) a locking plate adapted to be slideably inserted between the plates and bearingly and clampingly engaged with the cross member of said U-shaped tine member, and,

(e) aligned openings in said spaced and locking plates adapted to receive at least one removable bolt for holding the locking plate between the spaced plates to hold the tine member captive.

2. A mulcher head according to claim 1, including spacer members between said spaced plates located outside of the U-shaped tine member when the tine member is held captive in the pocket-forming member, the length of said locking plate being such as to provide spaces within said spacer members for said legs of the U-shape.

3. An earth mulching device comprising,

(a) a horizontally positioned mulcher head fixedly mounted on and across the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft having a downwardly opening way therein throughout the greater portion of its length,

(b) a rod of substantially U-shaped formation including a cross member and downwardly disposed relatively spaced tines,

(c) said cross member being of a length and cross-sectional area to be snugly received in said way with said tines extended downwardly from and beyond the same and the mulcher head,

(d) a bar of length and width substantially corresponding to that of said way snugly received therein in lengthwise bearing and clamping engagement with the cross member, and,

(e) means engaging said bar and mulcher head retaining the bar in bearing and clamping engagement with the cross member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 149,371 Benson Apr. 7, 1874 874,268. Waterman Dec. 17, 1907 886,406 Rarig May 5, 1908 961,475 Bacon June 14, 1910 983,996 Hoerr Feb. 14, 19-11 2,601,277 Green June 24, 1952 2,983,322 Heeren May 9, 1961 V FOREIGN PATENTS 140,337 Australia Feb. 26, 1951 

1. A MULCHER HEAD COMPRISING, (A) A TINE MEMBER COMPOSED OF A CROSS-SECTIONALLY CIRCULAR ROD OF SPRING METAL FORMED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS TO BE U-SHAPED, HAVING A CROSS MEMBER AND SIDE LEGS IN A SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON PLANE, (B) A POCKET-FORMING MEMBER COMPOSED OF A SLEEVE ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO A SPINDLE AND INCLUDING RELATIVELY SPACED PLATES EDGEWISE ATTACHED ACROSS ONE END OF THE SLEEVE, (C) THE SPACING BETWEEN THE PLATES BEING SUCH AS TO SLIDEABLY RECEIVE THE CROSS MEMBER OF SAID U-SHAPED TINE MEMBER BETWEEN THE PLATES, (D) A LOCKING PLATE ADAPTED TO BE SLIDABLY INSERTED BETWEEN THE PLATES AND BEARINGLY AND CLAMPINGLY ENGAGED WITH THE CROSS MEMBER OF SAID U-SHAPED TINE MEMBER, AND, (E) ALIGNED OPENINGS IN SAID SPACED AND LOCKING PLATES ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AT LEAST ONE REMOVABLE BOLT FOR HOLDING THE LOCKING PLATE BETWEEN THE SPACED PLATES TO HOLD THE TINE MEMBER CAPTIVE. 